Frequently asked questions

The test works by detecting allergen-specific antibodies in the blood. The antibodies sought are specific IgE immunoglobulins.

IgE serological tests have no value in food allergy.

Adverse reactions to food are often mediated by IgE, but not always. Some may be caused by other hypersensitivity mechanisms (type IV for example) and by intolerance phenomena leading to a cascade of clinical events.

That is why, in case of suspicion of food allergy, proper analysis must first determine whether or not IgE is involved and only then can a suitable diet be chosen. The success of the diet, i.e. improvement of clinical signs, will determine the diagnosis definitively.

Galileo Diagnostics through its parent company Genclis has 10 years of experience of allergy serological tests. Thousands of samples have been analysed with results leading to dietary management and other actions improving clinical symptoms. Specialising in cloning protein antigens, Genclis is a pioneer in Component-Resolved Diagnosis (CRD) for diagnosis improved by the knowledge of certain highly targeted allergen components, thereby demonstrating that allergy serological tests continue to make great advances in technology. In veterinary medicine, the SENSITEST® range is recognised as a diagnostic tool and the Cyno-DIAL® and Feli-DIAL® tests are true innovations offering, for the first time, guidance in deciding the best choice of food.

If the animal shows several sensitisations, this may be due to a “cross reaction”. The same substances are present in several extracts with similar sources (e.g. several species of mites or pollen) explaining the various positive results.

Good knowledge of molecular allergology, support of pollen calendars and clinical observations can help target the substances to select.

We recommend, for example, visiting the website www.rnsa.fr (for France) to check if there is any consistency between symptoms and exposure to pollen (please return to your country website that is dedicated to monitoring pollen exposure).

Feli-DIAL® is not a diagnostic test for food allergy. At present, only an elimination diet and rigorously conducted reintroduction allows diagnosis.

Feli-DIAL® helps decide the best choice of food to be used in the implementation of the food elimination diet. It reveals food to which the cat is not sensitised and thus avoids multiple food tests before finding the right food. It saves time when managing the allergy and improves the animal’s comfort.

Symptomatic treatments interfere little in serological tests for the dosage and search for specific IgE, a category of tests which includes Cyno-DIAL®, Feli-DIAL® and SENSITEST®.

Short-acting oral glucocorticoids – The few studies in dogs have concluded that their administration over a period of less than two months has no effect on specific IgE. In cats, one study has described the lack of effect of one month of treatment on specific IgE.

Injectable long-acting glucocorticoids – Few studies exist on the effect on specific IgE in dogs and cats. It seems that treatment lasting for 28 days does not alter the dosage results or the search for specific IgE.

Topical glucocorticoids - Like oral steroids, it is reasonable to assume that topical corticosteroids also do not affect the dosage and search for specific IgE.

The effect of antihistamines has not been studied in dogs and cats. However, the mechanism of action of these molecules is known and should not, in theory, interfere with the dosage and search for specific IgE.

Studies in which cyclosporin was used for a period of up to two months to treat canine atopic dermatitis concluded that the molecule has no effect on specific IgE.